The Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council shall designate a qualified trainer to administer the physical fitness assessment to determine the physiological capacity of a candidate to learn and perform the essential job functions of an entry-level police officer. Such test shall be administered within 45 days prior to entry to the Basic Training Program for Full-time Police Officers.

The Test

There are (5) Elements of the assessment. Although these elements may not be directly representative of essential job functions to be performed by an entry-level police officer, such elements do measure the candidate’s physiological capacity to learn and perform the essential job functions. The minimum scores for entry into the Academy as set forth below represent the fortieth (40th) percentile of fitness for each of the elements of the assessment (meaning they are as fit as at least the lower 40th percentile of the population of that gender and age). If a candidate does not successfully pass all initial elements and score to the 40th percentile of fitness in the 1.5 mile run, then the candidate shall not be deemed to have successfully completed the physical fitness assessment. Nothing shall preclude the administrator of substituting an element of the test battery, which the administrator has determined and validated to accurately assess the candidate’s physiological capacity to learn and perform essential job functions. The 1.5-mile run shall only be administered to candidates who have successfully completed the required initial elements of the test battery.

1.5 mile run

• Cardiovascular capacity and aerobic power, it requires nearly exhaustive effort.
• It takes place on an outdoor track and is measured with a stopwatch.
• DRESS APPROPRIATELY FOR THE WEATHER

One repetition maximum bench press

• Absolute strength test involves forcing a muscle group to exert a maximum force, using Dynamic Variable Resistance (DVR) protocol.
• The score indicated is a ratio of weight pressed divided by body weight.
• Equipment to be utilized will be a universal weight machine to record the weight of the repetition.
• Candidate will start off with warm-up repetitions of ½ body weight and increasing the weight in 5 or 10 pound increments until the candidate has successfully reached the 40th percentile.

One minute of bent knee sit-ups

• This event tests muscular endurance of the abdominal area, and hip flexors, which is the ability to contract the muscle repeatedly over a period of time.
• The candidate lies on his/her back, knees bent, heels flat on the floor, hands behind head and with a partner holding the feet down, then does as many sit-ups in correct form as possible in one minute.
• In the “up” position, candidates must touch their elbows to their knees, and both shoulders must touch the surface in the “down” position. The up position is the only rest position allowed.

One minute of push-ups

• This event tests muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoid, pectoralis major, triceps).
• The candidate starting in the “up” position where the hands are placed about shoulder width apart, elbows fully extended, legs and back are kept straight, and knees off the ground at all times, and lower him/her self until their chest is approximately “3” inches from the surface thus completing one repetition.
• The only rest position allowed is arching the back upward.
• No hands or feet shall be moved off the surface while conducting the event. Qualified trainers shall be responsible for the score of correct push-ups.

Sit and Reach test

• This event measures flexibility of the upper and lower trunks of the body, specifically lower back, hips, and hamstring muscle groups.
• The test requires a metal or wooden box, and a yardstick with a 15” mark at the edge or an engraved pre-measured box with the 15” mark on the box.
• The candidate warms up slowly, and then he/she removes their shoes.
• The candidate sits on the floor with legs extended, feet placed squarely against the box, and reach forward with arms extended; hands placed on top of each other with fingers extended and joined, and reach out slowly forward with both hands as far as possible, and hold position momentarily.
• The distance reached on the yardstick or on the box by the fingertips in inches in the best of 3 trials, is the flexibility score.

Physical fitness evaluations will be administered during the basic training program. Fitness evaluations will consist of bench press, push-ups, sit-ups, sit and reach, and 1.5 mile run.

Injured candidates will actively participate in a physical training program designed specifically for them. The nature of the injury may in some circumstances impact the decision made by the training staff as to whether the candidate may continue their involvement in basic training.

All candidates must participate in physical fitness training.

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 40th Percentile Requirements (Male)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 40th Percentile Requirements (Female)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 50th Percentile Requirements (Male)

Physical Assessment Minimum Standards: 50th Percentile Requirements (Female)